2 Chronicles 6:9

Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house, but thy sonne which shall come foorth out of thy loynes, he shall build the house for my Name. 2 Chronicles 6:9 (KJV)

According to the King James Version, God told David, “Thou shalt not build a house for my name; because thou bearest a great charge,” and indicated that his son would build the house for my name. The verse emphasizes that David, though eager, is barred from constructing the temple because of the great burden he carries as king. The responsibility for the building is transferred to his offspring, specifically the son who will arise from his loins.

Some renderings of the passage phrase the promise slightly differently. One version states, “Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.” Another rendering reads, “Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son he shall build the house for my name.” Both convey the same essential truth: David will not be the builder, but his son will.

It is important to note, as highlighted in the third draft, that the phrasing “Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name” is not a verbatim quotation from the KJV text. The core message remains consistent across the variations: God’s purpose is to have the temple erected under the reign of David’s son, thereby honoring the divine name through the next generation.

This passage invites believers to reflect on the humility required when God redirects a personal ambition toward a greater plan. It also underscores the continuity of divine purpose across generations, reminding us that God’s work often unfolds through those who follow us rather than through us directly.